Why packing cubes only work for organised people
27.2.2023
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Packing cubes or travel squares are designed to create order in your luggage. For me, the opposite was true. Packing cubes are for organised people, not for wannabes.
Usually, I’m not bothered by my messy life. However, a three-week road trip through the U.S. I was about to go on made me want to change this. Before that, I’d gone through life packing on the morning before my holidays, occasionally resorting to drying my clothes with a hair dryer, as I’d left washing to the last minute. But this time, things would be different. Why? Because I had to pack clothes fit to brave temperatures ranging between –5 and 25 degrees. Hey, I wasn’t about to risk freezing my backside off in the middle of the Grand Canyon.
And so, I already started packing five days ahead of my departure. As if this wasn’t square enough, I also invested in some packing cubes. These things here:
«The Pack-It Isolate Compression Cube Set is designed for travellers looking to travel light while maximising the space inside their luggage,» reads the product description on one of the cubes. Yay! The perfect product for my new orderly life!
Unfortunately, things turned out differently.
Cumbersome cubes
As I’m packing, I realise that the cubes are awkwardly bulky. At least when they’re holding the amount of clothes I’ll be needing for the trip. Plus, I’m forced to arrange them in a very specific way to close the suitcase they’re in. What a drag!
Source: Livia Gamper
The three-week trip overseas reveals the inevitable. The travel cubes create even more chaos than if I’d just chucked all my clothes into the suitcase.
Why? Because I’m too disorganised to put the cubes away in a manner that would help me remember where I put which shirt. This forces me to open all the cubes to look for the item in question. What’s more, they’re so full, half of their contents come spilling out. And so, I cram everything back in and end up right back in the vicious packing cube cycle. I start doubting my decisions and myself. Are six cubes way too many? Or not enough? Is my organisation by clothing type the right one? Meaning one cube for shirts, jumpers, trousers, sportswear, underwear and one for dirty clothes? Or should I have packed clothes sets instead?
A whole new packing order or none at all, I say to myself. In any case, the whole idea didn’t work. The bags designed for improved organisation turn into my travelling nemesis.
Long live chaos
My travel buddy doesn’t understand my packing cube problem. Every morning he has to wait for me. Did I mention that he’s using cubes, too? For reasons unknown, the system seems to work perfectly for him. Probably because he’s far more organised than me. He rocked up to the plane armed with a neck pillow, earplugs, headphones, sleeping pills and an eye mask. Yes, his space-saving, multifunctional clothing – merino wool and softshell meet On shoes – might mean he’s organised, but he’s also a fashion lowlight on the tourist trails.
I’d rather remain disorganised. And rid myself of the cubes. Unless someone has the ultimate packing cube hack. After all, I still have them – although one of them already has a hole. Of course it does.
Header image: Livia Gamper
Testing devices and gadgets is my thing. Some experiments lead to interesting insights, others to demolished phones. I’m hooked on series and can’t imagine life without Netflix. In summer, you’ll find me soaking up the sun by the lake or at a music festival.